EAA Chapter 25

Download the February On Final Newsletter now! Thanks to Noel Allard, Tim Barzen, John Koser, Craig Nelson, Dan Jackson, Peter Denny, and Kris Olson for their contributions and assistance this month.

Our meeting this month (Wed, Feb 17th) is at BSAEC (Bert Sisler Aviation Education Center, our chapter hangar) at Airlake – the grill will be on at 6pm as usual – please bring something to share, meeting at 7pm. Directions and program are on page 3.

Please note that we may have an extra large crowd this month, as Ben McQuillan will be presenting a Wing’s Safety Seminar on engine problems on takeoff and recent changes at FCM. The public is invited, and the seminar will start at 7:30pm after a brief chapter meeting. We’ll have membership forms and extra newsletters set out for visitors. Please welcome them.

Check with Bill Brown if you are thinking about volunteering for young eagles on Feb 20th – we may not have kids to fly this month. John Koser is still planning on a board meeting on the 20th, with the time to be determined.

Check out this recent article from the Sun newspaper. Very nice!

Download the latest issue of On Final now. It contains a story about Niels Sorensen written by Norm Tesmar, photography tips by Peter Denny, and the introduction of a Chapter 25 history project. The newsletter also contains dates, times and directions for three upcoming events: June chapter meeting, the Annual Chapter Picnic, and the June Young Eagles.  Download the June On Final now.

On Saturday, August 19th, our Young Eagle pilots flew 51 young people from our Chapter Hangar at Airlake. Pictured is Young Eagle pilot  Gary Rosch with three new Young Eagles.  Also participating in the event was Bob Warner, Executive Vice President – Membership. Bob is also a Young Eagle pilot, and was visiting the Twin Cities for the Sport Pilot Tour, and to meet with chapter leaders.

by John Koser

from On Final April 2005

Chapter 25 has awarded its EAA Aircamp scholarship for 2005 to Noah Lorsung of Washburn High. Noah is shown with instructor Peter Denny in the photo to the left. Noah is 17, and is enrolled in Algebra2/ Trig, AP US History, Spanish I, Aviation Construction, AP Chemistry, and English 11.

Q: Why would you like to be selected for this experience?
A: I would like to be selected because I am in my junior year of high school and I would like to get to know the industry better, so I can make choices about colleges and my future. I would also like to learn more about experimental aircraft.

Q: What would you gain from this experience?
A: I would gain more than just bragging rights; I would be able to make a life altering decision: college. I would be able to enlighten my peers on the pros and cons of the industry, and I would be able to spread the word.

Q: What would it be like to meet other young people from all over America at this camp?
A: It would be very cool, especially if they were into experimental aircraft and could enlighten me with their knowledge. I think ti would be very neat if I could meet and discuss our progress (on the Sonex) with another student my age, or thereabouts.

Q: What is it that makes you passionate about aviation?
A: Two words: Mr. Denny. He has elevated my love for aviation to a new height. Before I had his classes I was nowhere as near informed about aviation and the atmosphere revolving around it.

by John Koser

from On Final May 2005

Pilots Pat Halligan, Don Eide, Gary Rosch, and Harvey Havir flew thirty Boys’ and Girls’ Club members on Friday, 8 April. Ground support was provided by Jon Cumpton, his wife, Suzanne, John Koser, and Ron Oehler.

Franco Fiorillo, the new operator at Aircraft Resource Center, welcomed the group and offered to be supportive of future Young Eagle projects, fly-ins, or other Chapter 25 activities.

Jon boarded the bus as the group arrived at 1:00 PM, and explained the procedures. As they a r r ived, the youngsters were assigned to pilots and escorted to their respective planes. Others were taken to Jon Cumpton’s Citabria, where they underwent a short ground school orientation.

Photos were taken as aircraft returned to the FBO, and Certific a t e s we r e awarded at the end of the afternoon as students returned with their counselor.

This was an active group with lots of diverse interests, but our pilots and ground crew made the afternoon a meaningful one for the youngsters.

This group was with us last year for a Young Eagle rally, and we’ll probably be welcoming them again next year. The images will provide impressions of a bunch of happy kids after their flying experiences.

A wonderful response was made by one boy, who, after landing, repeated several times, “I got to fly the plane! I got to fly the plane! I got to fly the plane!”